The Southampton midfielder was cautioned but some on the Toon bench believed the foul merited a red card.

After referee Mike Jones had booked Schneiderlin, there was a great deal of pushing and shoving and allegations of spitting – all of which was played down by Toon boss Alan Pardew.

“It wasn’t a brawl and the match wasn’t spoiled,” said Pardew. “It is panto season. It was a sideline to the game, pathetic.

“I had my back to it. I said to their manager ‘Get your staff and I’ll get my staff.’ Andy Woodman was definitely not spat on.”

Newcastle took the lead when Mike Williamson headed Mathieu Debuchy’s free-kick into the visitors’ box straight to Jos Hooiveld – but the Saints defender connected with thin air, allowing Yoan Gouffran to round Paulo Gazzaniga and score his sixth goal of the season.

But Southampton got a deserved equaliser when sub Adam Lallana passed to Jay Rodriguez on the halfway line – who then played a crisp one-two with Steve Davis before calmly finishing past Tim Krul.

(Image: Getty Images)

Near the end, ­referee Jones was knocked over – but took his ­accidental flooring in good spirit.

The game had already been stopped so that Southampton keeper Gazzaniga could receive treatment. The keeper had Moussa Sissoko standing over him and appeared to expect the Toon star to help him to his feet.

But Sissoko pulled his hand away and, unfortunately, straight into the ref’s face.

Sissoko looked nervous – and the away section were calling for him to be sent off.

But a bit of cotton wool was stuck up Jones’ nose – and he laughed off the incident with Sissoko and took no further action.

“The ref’s got a bloody nose,” said Pardew. “But he’s patched himself up for the Christmas party. To be fair, he took it in good heart.”